Thomas Müller still has his eye on FC Bayern even after his move to the MLS.
Thomas Müller sees Michael Olise as one of the future leaders in the squad of record champions Bayern Munich and compares the attacking star to a club icon.
"Based on the way he performs and what he defines as commitment, I see him as an absolute key player for the coming years," Müller told Sport Bild. "He can become the player who leads the way for Bayern in the future, as Franck Ribéry did in my time."
Olise is a different character than Ribéry, "but he's also a guy who clearly signals: 'Give me the ball, I'll take care of it!' That's how you can lead a team without being a loudmouth," said Müller, who has since made his MLS debut for the Vancouver Whitecaps.
Müller praises Diaz and warns against premature hype surrounding Karl
Müller also has a high opinion of Bayern's star signing Luis Díaz. The Colombian striker "made a good start right from the start and was immediately involved. I experienced him as extremely hard-working in his style of play, and he has a great understanding of the game," said Müller. "He's always active and, as a winger, also appears in the penalty area, so I see him as a very positive signing for FC Bayern."
Regarding top talent Lennart Karl (17), former World Cup winner Müller warned against premature hype. He also cautioned against prematurely forcing the Bavarian native into the role of the next fan favorite. "With Lennart, the focus should first be on the sporting side, and the rest will follow," Müller said.
Müller sees no shortage of role models at Bayern
Müller does not believe there will be a shortage of role models at Bayern after his departure. "We have several players in our ranks who absolutely embody FC Bayern and who came from the youth system," Müller said, citing Aleksandar Pavlovic and Josip Stanisic as examples. Meanwhile, he said he doesn't want to burden Jamal Musiala with "this sentimental discussion." He should simply feel like a free spirit and enjoy playing football when he's fit again.
Müller can imagine Neuer's comeback in the German goal
Regarding Manuel Neuer, Müller can imagine a comeback in the German goal for the 2026 World Cup. "If Manuel is fit by then and is in goal for FC Bayern as I know him, then I absolutely trust him to play the role as Germany's number one at the 2026 World Cup."
Neuer ended his career with the national team after the European Championship last summer. However, his designated successor, Marc-André ter Stegen, suffered a serious injury shortly thereafter, lost his position as FC Barcelona's starting goalkeeper, and will be out for several months after another back operation. National coach Julian Nagelsmann is unlikely to have the 33-year-old ter Stegen available for the World Cup qualifiers, which begin in September.
Müller has no concrete plans yet regarding his own role at the World Cup in the USA, Canada, and Mexico—for example, as a TV pundit. "The MLS is now entering the decisive phase of the season. So that's purely a long shot for me," said Müller.